Authorities boost patrols, emergency access on Lake Minnetonka before busy July 4th weekend

Here is the latest Local News from the Minnesota Star-Tribune.

Authorities boost patrols, emergency access on Lake Minnetonka before busy July 4th weekend
Patrols, access routes are increased for a busy 4th on Lake Minnetonka.

Small plane lands on I-35 near Wyoming, Minn., closes highway for two hours

Minnesota set a new record last year for punishing lawyers
The state Supreme Court disbarred six lawyers and suspended the licenses of 47 others last year.

Jordan man sentenced in harrowing Chaska shooting
Joshua Gilpin shot and wounded his ex-girlfriend and his own father in front of his 4-year-old son.

Minnesota sees spike in violent crimes
The number of murders and sexual assaults pushed the uptick

Minnesota medical marijuana marks its first anniversary
Minnesota’s program got off to a slow start, but will open its doors to pain patients next month.

Minnesota woman’s Al-Shabab guilty plea unveiled, linked to Virginia terror case
Amina Esse will testify against former co-conspirators in Virginia.

280/35W interchange reopens in time for holiday weekend
The closing had posed an obstacle for drivers since early May.

Community School of Excellence makes deal to stay open
The St. Paul charter school signed a contract with charter authorizer Minnesota Guild just before its deadline.

How June stacks up on the Summer Glory Index
The state climatology office’s Summer Glory Index shows how weather in the first month of summer stacked up

Motorcyclist killed in St. Paul collision

Two teens sexually abused at drug treatment center
Staff member pleaded guilty to three sex crimes last month.

Man charged with stabbing woman, toddler, dog in La Crescent, Minn.

The Latest: Lt. Gov. Kleefisch, Grebe dropped as delegates

Two Minneapolis men convicted on ISIL charges seek ‘deradicalization’ review
New program has so far only included those who pleaded guilty.

Abortions in Minnesota hit record low last year
After an uptick in 2014, the number of annual elective procedures continued on a 35-year decline in Minnesota.

Teenager fatally stabbed outside Rochester pizzeria Friday morning
Police believe a fight between two teenage boys turned deadly early Friday morning.

HGTV star may lose north Minneapolis project amid allegations of incomplete work
City officials say Nicole Curtis may not have met the requirements she agreed to when she bought the house for $2.

Where to watch fireworks in the Twin Cities, July 1-4
Looking for a nighttime spectacular to go with your July 4 weekend festivities? Here are some of the major fireworks displays in the Twin Cities.

Police: Madison officer fatally shoots man in home invasion

Wayzata man resigns from Chisholm film venture amid fraud charges
Jerry Seppala resigned from Ironbound Studios Minnesota after a federal grand jury indicted him and two California men for allegedly cheating investors out of $12 million meant to finance movies. The indictment makes no mention of the Iron Range film studio space.

Minneapolis purchases the Commons park near U.S. Bank Stadium

Shooting of Muslim men will be investigated as possible hate crime
Attack on Muslim men seen as possible hate crime.

Wire grill brush seemed harmless enough – until the cook felt something sharp stuck in her throat
Deborah Zvosec went to Hennepin County Medical Center the day after a May dinner because she felt discomfort. Imaging scans found a 1.7 centimeter wire segment embedded deep in her tongue near the back of her throat.

Despite chatter to the contrary, Renaissance Festival to remain in current location through 2019
The medieval show will go on in Shakopee before moving to a new home in 2020.

Road work won’t let up for holiday weekend
Plan around these potential bottlenecks to retain your traffic sanity as you venture out of town for the holiday weekend.

Eagan’s July 4 Funfest is on its last legs
Funfest’s 50th year may be its last, due to a lack of volunteers.

State VA agency chooses new health care deputy commissioner
Douglas Hughes has military, business and health care experience.

Woman joins boyfriend among those charged in Iron Range man’s beheading
She’s accused of being an accomplice to the killing early last week and with assaulting the victim.

A year later, feds still investigating Twin Cities dentist who killed Cecil the lion
The African nation where the skilled marksman felled the beloved animal passed on charges.

Chanhassen archery range closed for safety after neighbors find arrows on property
The city closed an archery range after complaints from residents startled to find arrows on their property.

Ramsey County attorney launches safe-schools task force
Group to review ‘dynamics’ behind violent behavior and recommend corrective action.

American Refugee Committee snags John Griffith, former Target exec and civic leader, for key post
Griffith will manage the nonprofit’s staff in such global hot spots as Syria and Somalia.

Man found fatally shot on south Minneapolis street
No arrests yet in the killing. The man’s identity has yet to be released.

Distracted driving — and deaths — spike in 2015
Crash fatalities caused by distracted driving surged by 21 percent in 2015.

Carver County judge to unseal filings by some of Prince’s purported heirs
Documents of those claiming to be Prince’s children would remain sealed but those of others may be public.

Boom! Report ranks Minneapolis second-best city for July 4th festivities
Seattle was tops; St. Paul ranked 29th in the list, compiled by personal finance website WalletHub.

District attorney weighs options following murder mistrial

Gathering of young people turns violent in Milwaukee park

3-year-old girl, woman wounded in Milwaukee shooting

Man who helped cop subdue gunman is among 23 Carnegie heroes

Driver in unsecured load crash comes forward
Kyle R. Gunderson, 35, of Menomonie, Wis., contacted the Minnesota State Patrol after viewing a viral video of the crash and realizing his load was involved, the patrol said.

Motorcyclist, 61, killed during deer collision in Clearwater County
Richard W. Engen, 61, of Clearbrook, Minn., was headed east on Hwy. 223 in Clearwater County when he struck a deer that ran in front of him. Engen was thrown from the bike on impact and died at the scene as a result of his injuries, according to state patrol. He was not wearing a helmet.

The pioneering Kerfoot family sells the iconic Gunflint Lodge after more than 80 years
The lodge, which has been in the Kerfoot family since 1929, was sold last week to a couple who plan to continue its traditions and the outfitting operation on Gunflint Lake, 43 miles north of Grand Marais.

Great Cycle Challenge USA on track to earn nearly $3 million for cancer
More than 26,000 cyclists across the nation spent June raising money for Great Cycle Challenge USA, one of Minnesota’s most instantly successful nonprofit fundraisers. In just its second year, it’s on track to raise nearly $3 million — up from $1.7 million last year — thanks to dedicated cyclists and the power of focused social media.

U of M student newspaper to cut back print edition to 2 days a week
The Minnesota Daily, the student newspaper at the Twin Cities campus, plans shift to “digital first” approach and put more resources into its online and mobile platforms.

Advocates for $15 minimum wage rally in Minneapolis, turn in petitions
Mpls. officials will work to verify the signatures.

Minneapolis police release final bodycam policy
Nearly 600 officers will be equipped with devices after the July 4th holiday.

Ex-Wisconsin Capitol officer pleads guilty to stealing art

Homeless man reunited with Baby the dog

Memo shows wealthiest taxpayers benefit from tax credit

Charge: Iron Range man decapitated after being accused of rape
Under arrest is the boyfriend of the woman who made the sexual assault allegation.

Wayzata businessman indicted in movie-making fraud scheme
Prosecutors say $12 million was supposed to fund films, but didn’t.